1 Board of Education Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Regular Meeting Monday, June 14, 2021, 8:00 p.m. Minutes This Regular Session of the Upper Saddle River Board of Education was held in the Cavallini School Auditorium of the Upper Saddle River Schools beginning at 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Johnston opened the meeting and stated that the meeting was being held in compliance with PL 1975, Chapter 232 and appropriate notice had been provided to the designated newspapers, the Borough Clerk and all interested parties requesting such notification. Members present: Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Gandara, Mrs. Ginsberg, Mrs. Gray, Mr. Quagliani, Dr. Verducci, Mrs. Wenberg Members absent: None Also present: Dr. Siegel, Mrs. Imbasciani CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Mrs. Gandara made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Wenberg to convene into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. Mrs. Johnston then read the following statement: WHEREAS, the members of the Upper Saddle River Board of Education deem necessary to discuss personnel and legal matters, and WHEREAS, the topics to be discussed are within the exemptions which are permitted to be discussed and acted upon in confidential session pursuant to PL 1975, Chapter 231, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting will be made public when the need for privacy no longer exists. Action may be taken. Dr. Verducci made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Wenberg to adjourn Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. Mrs. Gandara made a motion, seconded by Dr. Verducci to convene into Public Hearing and Regular Session at 8:00 p.m. OPENING STATEMENT: Mrs. Johnston Mrs. Johnston welcomed the public. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Dr. Siegel School Emergency-Related Closure Plan Dr. Siegel reported that the district has developed a broad plan designed to be put in place when our ability to function is under question. The purpose of the plan is to determine the viability of schools operating during local/ national emergencies and proactively develop a response system that can be implemented under emergency. Highlights included: Emergency Incidents Impact Analysis Impact Analysis (by scenario) Examples Emergency Closure Decision-Making Components Emergency Closure Decision-Making Figures Transition and Communication Plan BOARD SECRETARY’S REPORT: None Mrs. Imbasciani 2 BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None Mrs. Johnston COMMITTEE REPORTS: Policy Committee Mrs. Gandara The Policy Committee reviewed the Codes of Conduct and the policy training schedule. Education Committee Mrs. Johnston The Education Committee reviewed new report card standards and assessments and curriculum updates will be reviewed over the summer. Infrastructure Committee Mrs. Ginsberg The Infrastructure Committee discussed facility usage. PTO REPORT: Mrs. Apostolou/Mrs. Degenaars On behalf of Mrs. Apostolou and Mrs. Degenaars, Mrs. Imbasciani expressed their thanks for everyone’s support this year and wished a safe and happy summer to all. USREF Report: Mrs. Mueller Mrs. Imbasciani shared the following on behalf of the USREF: The USREF held its final fundraiser this past Friday evening, which was a family drive-in movie night at Demarest Farms. It was a fun night out and we plan to hold another family event during the 2021/21 school year. Our Town Night Out Gala is scheduled for Friday, March 11, 2022 at Edgewood Country Club. More details will be provided later this year. At our June meeting, the Trustees of the USREF elected two new Executive Board Members: Ellen Simon Ginsberg as Secretary and Natalya Robles as Treasurer. We also elected Lisa Auty and Sahar Batla as Trustees. Congratulations and thanks to all of these parent volunteers for their commitment to the USREF. Finally, the entire USREF would like to congratulate and wish Mike Padilla continued success in his new position as Assistant Principal for the Ho-Ho-Kus School District. They are extremely thankful for his friendship, partnership and assistance with countless projects and events throughout his years in the USR School District. Good luck, Mike! You will be missed! Wishing the entire Board of Education and Upper Saddle River Families a safe and enjoyable summer break. See you in September. PRESENTATIONS: Bogert Performing Arts Highlights – “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” Mr. Chen/Mr. Weinstein Three students, Abigail Acer, Snow Cercone and Hanna Faraz, performed two pieces from the Bogert musical under the direction of Mr. Chen and Mr. Weinstein. These girls were composed, talented and generally just amazing! Many thanks to the USR PTO for their support and also Mr. Kaplan for his support. Assessment Reform and School Report Cards 3 Mrs. D’Ambola, Mrs. Severs, Mr. McCusker and Mrs. Apicella provided an update on the district goal focused on assessment, grading and report cards. They described how a large committee of teachers developed core beliefs that continue to drive many important decisions, including shifts in assessment practices, parent teacher conferences, professional development and report cards. Samples of new report cards, which will be introduced in the 2021/22 school year, were shared with the public. Key shifts include increased emphasis on learning goals and consistent non-academic competencies across the three schools. Mrs. Apicella, Director of Special Services, summarized considerations for students with Individualized Education Plans. COMMENTS: Mrs. Johnston asked how this will be rolled out to parents and what supports parents can get to understand these changes prior to report card distribution. She then thanked Mrs. D’Ambola, Mrs. Severs, Mr. McCusker and Mrs. Apicella for this tremendous effort. Dr. Siegel commented this is a huge change and a tremendous amount of work has been done on this over the past two years. He said commonalities between all three schools are very exciting and that this rollout will be a process. He thanked the Administrators for all of the work they have put into this. Internet Safety and Security Mr. Cazes Mr. Cazes presented on the district’s internet safety plans which highlighted how proactive he and our Technology staff are at maintaining a safe online environment for our school community. Highlights included: Education o Digital Citizenship o LMS o Staff Training Hardware o Firewall o iBoss Software o Sophos and Google Workspace Plus o Bark for Schools o DyKnow Classroom Management PUBLIC COMMENT: Mrs. O’Connor asked if the Safe Return to School Plan could be explained further and if it will be made available to the public. Mr. Padilla publicly thanked the Board for the amazing opportunity to work here. He learned so much. He thanked the Board for taking a chance on a first year administrator and wished everyone the best. Mrs. Johnston, on behalf of the Board of Education, thanked Mr. Padilla for his many contributions. She said he will be missed and wished him the best of luck in Ho-Ho-Kus. ADMINISTRATION: Dr. Siegel A motion was made by Mrs. Gandara and seconded by Mr. Quagliani to approve Administration Consent Agenda Items A through N and was approved by all in attendance. A. Authorize Dr. Brad Siegel to make personnel decisions on new hires and offer contracts in consultation 4 with the Board President during the summer for the 2021/22 school year and to be affirmed at the September 13, 2021 Board Meeting. B. Authorize the Board President to approve the preliminary draft of the June meeting minutes. C. Authorize the Board President to approve the preliminary report for any H.I.B. investigations that take place during the summer. D. Second reading and adoption of the following Policies and Regulations: Policy 0145 Board Member Resignation and Removal (M) (Revised) Policy 1643 Family Leave (M) (New) Policy 2415 Every Student Succeeds Act (M) (Revised) Policy 2415.01 Academic Standards, Academic Assessments, and Accountability (M)(Abolished) Policy 2415.02 Title 1 – Fiscal Responsibilities (M) (Revised) Policy 2415.03 Highly Qualified Teachers (M) Abolished Policy 2415.05 Student Surveys, Analysis, and/or Evaluations (M) (Revised) Policy 2415.20 Every Student Succeeds Act Complaints (M) (Revised) Policy 3431.1 Family Leave (Abolished) Policy 4125 Employment of Support Staff Members (M) (Revised) Policy 4431.1 Family Leave (Abolished) Policy 5330.01 Administration of Medical Cannabis (M) Revised Policy 6360 Political Contributions (M) (Revised) Policy 7425 Lead Testing of Water in Schools (M) (Revised) Policy 7430 School Safety (M) (Abolished) Policy 8330 Student Records (M) (Revised) Policy 9713 Recruitment by Special Interest Groups (M) (Revised) Regulation 1642 Earned Sick Leave Law (M) (Revised) Regulation 2415.20 Every Student Succeeds Act Complaints (M) (Revised) Regulation 5330.01 Administration of Medical Cannabis (M) (Revised) Regulation 7425 Lead Testing of Water in Schools (M) (New) Regulation 7430 School Safety (M) (Abolished) E. Approve the LEA Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Pursuant to the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, Section 2001 (i) for the 2021/2022 school year. F. Approve the Security Drill Statement of Assurance certifying that, pursuant to 18A:41-1, all requirements have been met relating to the practicing of school security drills, for the 2021/22 school year. G. Approve the submission of the Comprehensive Equity Plan Annual Statement of Assurance for the 2021/2022 school year after the annual review of the approved 2019-2022 Comprehensive Equity Plan (CEP). H. Approve the Annual District Mentoring Plan for the 2021/2022 school year and approve the electronic submission of the Statement of Assurance certifying compliance with the requirements, for the 2021/2022 school year. I. Approve the 2021/2022 Quad District Professional Development Plan after review for fiscal impact and approve the electronic submission of the Statement of Assurance certifying compliance with the requirements for the 2021/2022 school year. J. Approve the Intervention and Referral Services Plan for the 2021/2022 school year. K. Approve the New Jersey Principal Evaluation for Professional Learning (NJPEPL) Observation Instrument for district administrators for the 2021/2022 school year.